Anti-Obesity Efforts of CDC Called Lobbying
"Campaigns targeting the issues the CDC has championed -- such as tobacco cessation and obesity prevention -- were funded and backed with little objection. Its hallmark issues have varied little with the political ideology of whichever party controlled Washington.
But now, projects the CDC funds are gaining increased attention from Republicans in Washington, who are saying the CDC's latest efforts are blurring the line between lobbying and what a federal agency can support.
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But the OIG identified what it considered to be questionable grants, such as $2.2 million to the California Department of Public Health to "advance policy changes to limit the availability" of soda in schools. Another was $12 million that went to King County, Wash., to influence policy, including efforts to "change zoning policies to locate fast food retailers farther from ... schools."
The grants may have violated laws that prevent federal dollars from being used for lobbying. But these were efforts generally allowed and supported in the past."
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